Getting started with virtual reality (VR) costs a lot. Fortunately, the VR headset Oculus Rift (and its Touch controllers) just dropped $200 down to $399 (BestBuy, Newegg). It could be a great time to get started with VR.

Among the best VR systems, the Oculus Rift is a top-tier headsetOculus Rift ReviewOculus Rift ReviewVirtual Reality is not new, but it's finally affordable and within our grasp. After four year and two development prototypes, the final consumer edition of the Oculus Rift has arrived.Read More. However, since its inception, many affordable VR headsets exist. Find out if the $400 Oculus Rift bundle is worth buying and which alternatives you should consider!

A Brief History of Virtual Reality

While VR may appear a new phenomenon, the first instances of attempts at VR date back to the 1800s. In 1838, Charles Wheatstone experimented with the brain’s processing of two-dimensional images. During the 1800s, the stereoscope and lenticular stereoscope paved the way for the View-Master in 1939. Yes, that red plastic toy which pretty much anyone growing up in the 80s and 90s had is a rudimentary form of VR.

Science fiction has a strange way of influencing real-world technology. As the Virtual Reality Society reports, sci-fi writer Stanley G. Weinbaum concocted a story that featured a pair of holographic goggles. But it wasn’t until the 60s that VR headsets launched, replete with motion tracking.

The $400 Oculus Rift and Touch bundle comes at a whopping $200 discount. That’s pretty massive. Not only does the $400 Oculus Rift bundle include the headset, but two sensors, and two Touch controllersOculus Touch VR Controllers ReviewOculus Touch VR Controllers ReviewThe Oculus Rift has been missing something fundamental since launch: VR controllers. With the addition of Touch, the Oculus VR experience is finally complete.Read More. It’s a limited time offer, only available for six weeks.

If you’ve been debating an Oculus Rift, this is the time to buy. The next closest system to the Oculus Rift is the HTC Vive. But the Vive clocks in at $800, twice the price of the Rift. As such, the Oculus Rift $400 bundle dominates at offering a premium VR headset at a low cost — low for a full-fledged VR headset, anyway.

Additionally, there’s more to VR than a headset and PC. You’ll also need games. Chances are you may have a few of these already. Steam users benefit from tags on games in the Steam store and libraries of purchased titles. Out of my embarrassingly large Steam library (thanks, Steam sales), only one title is VR-capable: Knee Deep. However, there’s a way to play Half-Life 2 in VR as well.

With these considerations, the Oculus Rift $400 bundle is a fantastic standalone deal. Yet if you don’t have a VR-ready machine or any games, you’ll likely pay anywhere from $1,500 and up for the Oculus Rift, a PC, and virtual reality games.

It’s tough to compare the Google Cardboard with an Oculus Rift. Whereas the Rift headset sets you back hundreds, Cardboard costs very little — and it can make an awesome do-it-yourself (DIY) project. More or less, Google Cardboard is an excellent choice for anyone curious about virtual reality but unsure about making a major investment. Using the Google Cardboard is an awesome means to try VR for less than $30How to Get Started With Virtual Reality for Under $30How to Get Started With Virtual Reality for Under $30Virtual reality is finally here, but the various devices can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Want to try VR without investing a huge amount into it? Here's how.Read More.

Since it’s super inexpensive (or even free if you’ve got the materials), Google Cardboard is the ideal foray into VR for the casual and curious virtual reality enthusiast. Moreover, it’s likely you already have the hardware with your phone. Don’t invest hundreds (or thousands) of dollars without at least a taste of VR. If you choose Google Cardboard, these are the 20 best Cardboard apps20 Best VR Apps for Google Cardboard20 Best VR Apps for Google CardboardIf you have a Google Cardboard, you need to download these apps.Read More around.

Google’s Cardboard VR headset targets the casual virtual reality fan. But its Daydream Google VR offers a premium virtual reality experience by tapping into the full power of mobile devices.

Daydream offers its Daydream View headset for compatible phones. This arrives at a reasonable $80. Additionally, HTC promises its standalone VR headset as does Lenovo. Therefore, Daydream comes with tons of setup choices, ranging from a phone-based Daydream View to no-phone required headsets. A major plus for Daydream is its growing compatibility. Google plans to roll out support for a bevy of devices including the Samsung Galaxy S8. I’ve used the Daydream View to play the fantastic Sparklepoo game Unicorn Happy Place and was quite impressed with the Daydream’s VR capabilities as well as the game itself. There’s not a ton of content for Daydream, but games like the aforementioned Unicorn Happy Place are increasingly common.

Like the Daydream, the Samsung Gear VR presents a reasonably-priced entry to virtual reality. The Daydream and Samsung Gear VR serve as a bridge between the cheapo Cardboard and full-on headsets like the Oculus and Vive. The Gear VR ranges from around $40 to $115 depending on the model and its bundled accessories. Gear VR devices benefit from support from the likes of Oculus. PhoneCast, for instance, is only compatible with the Gear VR. With it, users can stream content from the likes of YouTube, Vudu, Epix, and even Plex in VR. Note, however, that PhoneCast is compatible with the Gear VR but requires a Samsung Galaxy S8.

For Gear VR or Daydream owners, those are much better headsets. Even if you’ve got a high-end mobile device capable of VR, that plus a Cardboard is a better set up than the CX v3. However, the CX v3 is perfect for users sans VR-capability. If you have no mobile device that’s able to handle VR, the VR Sky CX v3 is an awesome all-in-one solution.

Best for: Users without a headset, or phone, capable of VR and casual VR fans.

It’s with the PlayStation VRPlayStation VR ReviewPlayStation VR ReviewSony has finally released their low-cost headset to the world, along with a slew of Playstation games that support the device. Is it worth it?Read More that virtual reality headsets begin focusing on power users. More specifically, the PlayStation VR targets gamers. It’s a neat headset with loads of potential. However, the PlayStation VR is only compatible with the PlayStation 4. At least, that’s the only official means to use the PSVR.

What really sets the Razer OSVR apart, however, is its open-source nature and a plentiful game library. In their testing, Tech Radar concluded that although it’s a high-end headset, the OSVR can’t compare with the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. Rather, it’s intended as its own entity: an open VR platform. Its low pricing makes it an awesome alternative to the Oculus and Vive, but not a true competitor. However, it is compatible with SteamVR.

Best for: VR enthusiasts with the patience to explore a new landscape and open source advocates.

PC Mag further states that “the Vive is the most comprehensive virtual reality system available.” Unfortunately, this superb VR headset comes at a price. Quite literally. The HTC Vive, for its supreme VR capabilities, is the most expensive VR headset on the market. It’s also the closest competitor to the Oculus Rift. In our head-to-head comparisonOculus Rift vs. HTC Vive: Which Is Better for You?Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive: Which Is Better for You?The HTC Vive and Oculus Rift have been available for over a year. Both provide amazing VR experiences, but which one is right for you? We break down all the differences.Read More, we found the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive pretty close in almost every category. Our bottom line take is “if you can afford either headset anyway, try them both.”

Look for VR’s widening prevalence. However, expect additional applications beyond consumer-oriented and gaming-centric tasks. Similarly, watch as VR headset prices tumble, while moves are made to migrate away from reliance on PCs and mobile devices.

Final Thoughts on the Oculus Bundle and Alternatives

From budget headsets to hulking PC-tethered options, delving into virtual reality is incredibly simple. However, before settling on a VR headset, review your interest in virtual reality, current gear, and factor in initial costs. For those with a passing interest in VR, try a Google Cardboard, Daydream, or Samsung VR for a virtual reality teaser. Even if you’re set on snagging a Vive or Oculus, I suggest trying a basic VR offering before jumping to an immersive unit. PlayStation users should consider the PSVR, although it lacks native PC compatibility.

Moe Long is a writer and editor covering everything from tech to entertainment. He earned an English B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Robertson Scholar. In addition to MUO, he has been featured in htpcBeginner, Bubbleblabber, The Penny Hoarder, Tom's IT Pro,…